Ipswich Society talk – Brightwen Binyon

On Wednesday 10th March at 7pm the Ipswich Society will be hosting a Zoom talk by Swindon Conservation Architect Michael Grey, and have kindly extended an invitation to members of Ipswich Arts Association.

The subject of the talk will be Brightwen Binyon, the designer of Ipswich Corn Exchange and a number of other significant local buildings.

20 places have been allocated to us at this stage, so places will be on a first come, first served basis. Please email secretary@ipswich-arts.org.uk if you would like to attend. 

Here are some notes about Brightwen Binyon, courtesy of Ipswich Society.

Brightwen Binyon’s offices were based in Princes Street, and although he undertook many commissions in Ipswich he also worked across Suffolk, and had major projects in Sunderland, Ledbury, Folkestone and Swindon. He designed board schools. churches, public buildings and country houses across England, he was a renown watercolourist, and designed wall papers and furniture which he exhibited at the Royal Academy.

Brightwen Binyon 1846 – 1905 (ARIBA 1872) Born in Manchester, son of a sugar refiner and tea dealer in that city. Educated at the Quaker School in Kendal. A pupil of the architect Alfred Waterhouse 1863 – 1871. Travelled abroad before settling in Ipswich, married 1879, one son, 3 daughters, one of whom, Olive was mother of the well known Norwich architect Bernard Feilden.

Brightwen was in practice for 26 years, retiring in 1897 but his practice was continued by his first pupil Frank Brown. Offices at 36 Princes Street, then 2-4 Princes Street Designs for buildings in Ipswich include ‘The Grove’, Grove Lane for Mrs JC Cobbold 1878, 75 Henley Road for ER Turner 1875, Shire Hall Yard Board School 1881-82, Corn Exchange, 1878-82 (Competition winner).

In 1879 he replied to an advertisement placed by the new Swindon School Board which led to a series of commissions, not only for the School Board but also for the Mechanics Institute and for Swindon Town Hall. Brightwen Binyon was a very successful and prolific architect involved in the design of numerous country houses and municipal buildings across England, won through national competitions.